Sterilizer for surgical bandages



(No Mbdel.) -2 Sheets8heet J; M. VAN HEUSEN. STERILIZBR FOR SURGICAL BANDAGBS.

Patented Dec. 27, 1892.

2 Sheets'-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

J. M. VAN .HEU S EN. STERILIZER FOR SURGICAL BANDAGES. No. 488,725.

Patented Dec. 27, L892.

Wi 05am UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MANNING vAN HEUSEN, or ALBANY, NEW YORK.

STERILIZER FOR SURGICAL BANDAGE S.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,72 5, dated December 27, 1892.

Application filed September 28, 1892- Serial No. 447,115. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN MANNING VAN HEUSEN, acitizen of theUnited States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for I-leating and SterilizingSurgicalBandages; andIdo hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple, effective, and readily portable apparatus for heating and sterilingsurgical bandages and the like.

It is especially desirable that the heating and sterilizing operation to which surgical bandages and the like are subjected, should be of such a character as to leave the fabric in a substantially dry condition, so that on subsequent cooling, it will have no tendency to chill the patient. It is also desirable, in the closed operating rooms or chambers where the patient is located, that as little of the steam and fumes generated in the apparatus as possible should find its exit therefrom, either during the period that the bandages are being heated, or at the time they are withdrawn from the apparatus. My invention is particlarly adapted to fulfill these requirements. By its employment, the heating and sterilizing operation is quickly performed, without inconvenience or discomfort to the occupants of the room, and the heated and sterilized fabric remains practically dry upon cooling, so as not to be a source of annoyance or danger to the patient. The apparatus may, moreover, when not in use, be conveniently packed into a comparatively small space, so as to be readily portable.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a form of apparatus embodying my improvements, in position ready for use; Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the same, with the hinged door open; Fig. 3 represents a central longitudinal vertical section and partial elevation on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 represents a similar section with the parts compactly nested together in condition for transport.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 6 indicates a m etallic receptacle, preferably of sheet copper or the like, and having a thin top, thereby presenting an effective condensing surface subjected constantly to the cooling effect of the external air. The roof is inclined in such manner as to conduct any liquid condensing upon its inner surface, to the side walls of the receptacle, so as to rejoin the body of water at the bottom of the receptacle and from which the steam is generated rather than to drop upon and soak the bandages that are being heated and sterilized. 1

At the bottom of the receptacle 6 a shallow space is left below the downwardly swinging hinged door 12, for the reception of the small quantity of water utilized in the generation of the steam desired. Above this space are located suitable rails as 8 for supporting a drawer 9, the main body portion of which is reticulated or made up of perforated metal, so as to permit a free passage of the steam through it. The end of the drawer is, however, closed bya metallic plate 10 through which the steam cannot pass, and which is so constructed as to close the opening in the re ceptacle 6 through which the drawer is inserted and withdrawn. A ring 11, or the like,

I rest upon the upper surface of the foldable wire loop supports 16, and within the upper edge portion of acasing 17 having in its side walls the air admission ports 18, as shown. A number of lugs 19 are struck up from the sheet metal bottom of the casing 17, for the purpose of removably holding in place at a point midway beneath the bottom of the receptacle 6, an alcohol lamp or other suitable source of heat.

From the construction shown and described,

the operation will be readily understood. A bandage 21 or the like, to be heatedandsterilized, is placed within the drawer 9, whereupon said drawer is inserted within the receptacle 6, and immediately above the shallow body of water in the bottom of said receptacle. The swinging door 12 is then closed, and the wire loops 16 having been raised to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the lamp 20 having 1 I like consisting of a chamber adapted to be entirely closed at the top and sides and providedv with a perforated or reticulated drawer -1 been ignited, the receptacle 6 with its contents is placed upon the loop supports 16 and above the burning lamp, all as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Steam is rapidly generated, and passes upward through the drawer 9 and the bandage contained therein, rapidly heating and sterilizing the bandage. In passing through the bandage, the steam, in giving up its heat thereto, becomes somewhat cooledon arriving in that portion of the receptacle 6 above the drawer. The thin top of the receptacle, however, prevents the accumulation of the damp steam and its absorbence by the bandage, by condensing it rapidly and effectively over the large extent of the lower surface of said top, the cooling effect of the external air being sufficient to thus condense and remove said damp steam continuously during the operation. The inclined roof, instead of permitting the condensations to fall back upon the bandages, conducts said con j-gical bandages and the like, consisting of a 1 chamber adapted to be closed at the sides and provided with a perforated or reticulated drawer having a closed end adapted to close ithe opening through-which the same is iniserted, said chamber having a thin top capaible of acting as a condenserand suspended lor held above a lamp or heating device by the Zfolding loops or supports, a, a, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature indensations to the side walls of the receptacle, down which they pass to rejoin the main body of water. When the operation has continued for a period sufficiently long to thoroughly heat and sterilize the bandage for the purpose intended, the swinging cover-12 is unlocked and dropped to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3; whereupon the drawer and its contents can be instantly withdrawn by means of the ring 11, and the swinging cover 12 immediately raised and locked to coverthe open- 1 ing. This manipulation can be performed so ment.

When the apparatus is not in use, the lamp 20 is removed, the wire supports 16 are turned down, and the receptacle 6, is dropped to the bottom of the casing 17 so as to rest upon the loops 16, and to be nested within the casing 17, in compact form for transportation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- 1. A sterilizer for surgical bandages and the.

having a closed end adapted to close the opening through which the same is inserted, said chamber having a thin metallic top capable capable of acting as a condenser, said sterilizer being adapted to be heated by a lamp or other heating device; substantially as described.

3. A portable, knock-downsterilizerfor surpresence of two witnesses.

JOHN MANNING VAN HEUSEN;

Witnesses:

J OHN O. PENNIE,

PERCY Bt'HILLS. 

